La Conner
La Conner is a town in the Northwest Washington region of Washington, in the heart of Skagit Valley tulip country.
Get in
editBy car
editLa Conner is not on any major highways, making it slightly tedious to access. It is located about 10 miles west of Interstate 5.
- From the south via I-5, exit in Conway for WA-534 West. Stay on the arterial as it turns onto Best Rd., then Chilberg Rd.
- From the north via I-5, exit in Burlington for WA-20 West. Take a left onto La Conner Whitney Road.
Either way, the drive through the farmland of the Skagit Valley is especially beautiful.
By bus
edit- Skagit Transit, ☏ +1 360-757-4433, custserv@skagittransit.org. Operates bus service within Skagit County including within and between Anacortes, Burlington, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. The buses do not run at night. Also offers connecting service from other counties, including route 80X traveling south from Bellingham and route 90X traveling north from Everett. Routes 80X and 90X stop in Burlington and Mount Vernon.
- Bus route 615 travels through La Conner on its way between Mount Vernon Skagit Station and March's Point P&R in Anacortes.
By boat
editLa Conner is on the Swinomish Channel.
Get around
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La Conner is a great town to walk, with restaurants, museums, artist studios, and boutique retailers all packed into a few blocks. First Street follows the waterfront and intersects Morris Street, which runs the length of town.
Away from the town center, you'll need a car, or a boat, as the valley is spread out and there is little public transportation.
See
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- 1 Rainbow Bridge. A scenic bridge over the Swinomish Channel
- 2 Skagit Historical Museum, 501 S 4th St, ☏ +1 360-466-3365. Museum featuring exhibits related to the local area. Due to its location on a hill, it offers one of the best views of the town.
Tulips
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La Conner is located at the edge of the largest tulip-growing region in the world, the Skagit Valley. The protected farmland around the town is said to be some of the richest in the world.
In spring, the local fields are filled with ribbons of color.
- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The valley hosts the annual festival for the entire month of April.
Arts
editCreativity has flourished here since the 1940s.
- 3 Museum of Northwest Art, 121 First St, ☏ +1 360 466-4446, info@museumofnwart.org. Su M Noon-5PM, Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Showcases a permanent collection of northwest artists, as well as revolving shows through out the year. Free.
- 4 Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, 703 South Second St, ☏ +1 360-466-4288. Has a collection featuring textiles of the Pacific Rim area. Located in one of the oldest homes in town, the Gaches Mansion.
Do
editBuy
editThere are many gift shops, galleries, clothing stores.
The region grows everything from strawberries to wheat, and many local farmstands sell their produce on the highways on the way to town.
Eat
editThere are many restaurants along the waterfront and along Morris Sreet.
Drink
editSleep
editThe town boasts plenty of charming small inns and Bed and Breakfasts.
- 1 La Conner Channel Lodge, 205 N 1st St, toll-free: +1-888-466-4113. Located at the waterfront. Rooms $209–309, Suites $219-349.
- 2 Wild Iris Inn, 121 Maple Avenue, ☏ +1 (360) 466-1400, toll-free: +1 (800) 477-1400, WildIrisInn@gmail.com. A boutique inn with queen and king-size beds, a garden, shaded sitting porches in front of some rooms, and a meeting room for about fifty. They serve a two-course breakfast as well. $109-240.
- 3 The Heron Inn, 117 Maple Ave, ☏ +1 360-399-1074, staff@theheroninn.com. A small inn with comfortable rooms, and available spa services like massages and facials. Optional breakfast service offers choice of hot and cold, vegetarian and meaty. Rooms $149–169, add $20 for breakfast for two; suites $150–220.
Connect
editGo next
edit- Anacortes, gateway to the San Juan Islands
- Deception Pass State Park
La Conner is on the North Cascade Loop itinerary.